Researcher Reconstructs Lost History of Historic Lod Neighborhoods
In a recent interview, Palestinian researcher Dr. Tawfiq D'aadla discussed his efforts to reconstruct the historical urban fabric of Lod, a Palestinian city largely destroyed and depopulated following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. D'aadla, a native of Lod, explained that the city's historic core, comprising three neighborhoods, was systematically demolished after its residents were forcibly expelled in July 1948. He noted that this destruction was part of a broader policy affecting many Palestinian cities, aiming to erase Palestinian identity and memory.
D'aadla's research involves piecing together the city's past using fragmented historical records, including Ottoman court records from the late 19th century and appeals court documents from Jaffa. He has managed to identify and map three specific neighborhoods: the "Hammam Quarter," centered around a public bath; the "Khan Quarter," built around a caravanserai; and a third neighborhood known for its religious figures and shrines. He highlighted how these documents, despite the destruction, can still "resurrect" the lives of former residents, naming shopkeepers and families who lived there.
The researcher acknowledged the challenges of his work, particularly the scarcity of sources and the systematic erasure of Palestinian history by Israeli authorities. He contrasted his reliance on oral histories and fragmented archives with the access Israeli historians have to official Israeli records. D'aadla also pointed out that his reconstruction primarily focuses on the wealthier areas, as records of poorer residents and their homes are even scarcer, leaving a gap in the historical narrative.
D'aadla's work aims to counter the deliberate obliteration of Palestinian heritage and memory, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for identity and narrative. He is currently working on a book that will detail his findings on Lod's historical neighborhoods, contributing to the preservation of a history that authorities sought to erase.
